Wednesday, May 11, 2011

19th Century Cellar Hole and Field

  I had a great hunt in the rain yesterday, around the remnants of an old cellar hole and a field in Pittston. The find of the day was a great 1863 Civil War Penny Token, the date of which was visible coming right out of the ground. These Civil War tokens were privately minted between 1862 and 1864, due to the lack of currency during the war, and were made illegal directly after. The rear says "Army and Navy", though it will take a little soaking in olive oil to clean it up.

  I also unearthed three Indian head pennies; an 1861, an 1886, and one still unreadable--a record number of Indians in one hunt for me. Two of them were actually stuck together in the soil, with their faces inward, which is why they look so good in the pics. They will clean up quite nicely.
  I found this great brass badge in the Pittston field. Apparently, it is circa 1930's and was issued for some "Boy Detective" comic strip. It is small, being less than 2 inches across. I was as excited to find this badge as I was to find the coins.
  Then there are the odds and ends: a few rusty knives, a tiny brass button, a large rusty iron button, watch cog, brass handle, unexploded artillery, an unidentifiable neat things. All in all, a fine day underground.

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